How many pupils does Downlands Community School have?

Downlands Community School has 1,250 pupils on roll, according to Department for Education data.

What is Downlands Community School's Ofsted rating?

Downlands Community School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection (4 October 2022).

How does Downlands Community School perform at GCSE?

Pupils at Downlands Community School achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 58.3 in 2025/26.

Where is Downlands Community School?

Downlands Community School is located at Dale Avenue, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8LP.

Downlands Community School

Dale Avenue, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8LP

Good

Inspected 4 October 2022

Good

Ofsted

58.3

Attainment 8

Secondary

Phase

11–16

Ages

1,250

Pupils

Mixed

Gender

Community school

Type

About Downlands Community School

Downlands Community School is a community school in Hassocks, West Sussex, England, for pupils aged 11–16. It has 1,250 pupils on roll. Its most recent Ofsted inspection (4 October 2022) rated it Good. At GCSE, pupils achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 58.3 (2025/26). 8.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 4% have English as an additional language.

School Information

Local Authority: West Sussex →
School Type: Community school
Phase: Secondary
Age Range: Ages 11–16
Gender: Mixed
Pupils / Capacity: 1,250 / 1,200 (104%) · over capacity
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Religious Character: Does not apply
Admissions Policy: Non-selective
Last Ofsted Inspection: 4 October 2022

Pupil profile

2025/26

Who attends this school — useful context if you’re considering teaching here.

8.2%

Free school meals

EAL

SEN support

20.6%

EHC plan

Source: DfE School Census, 2025/26, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Results & performance

2025/26

Official Department for Education results, pupil destinations and attendance.

GCSE results (Key Stage 4)

58.3

Attainment 8

238 pupils

68.9%

Grade 5+ English & Maths

84.9%

Grade 4+ English & Maths

Progress 8 isn’t published for this year group: their Key Stage 2 baseline (2021 SATs) was cancelled during the pandemic, so a progress measure can’t be calculated. GCSE figures are provisional and may be revised.

Where pupils go next

97%

Sustained destination

94%

Stayed in education

Apprenticeship

Attendance

7.6%

Overall absence

19.1%

Persistent absence

Source: Department for Education performance tables, 2025/26, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Some independent schools’ qualifications (e.g. IGCSEs) are not all reflected in these figures.

Workforce

2024/25

Staffing at this school, with the trend over recent years — useful if you’re considering working here.

73.07

Teachers (FTE)

↑ +0.4 vs 2023/24

17.1

Pupils per teacher

↓ -0.2 vs 2023/24

14.82

Teaching assistants (FTE)

↓ -1.6 vs 2023/24

£51,784

Avg teacher salary

Mean · 12% on leadership pay

↑ +£3,661 vs 2023/24

Teacher vacancies

0% rate

→ 0 vs 2023/24

8.8

Leadership (FTE)

↓ -0.2 vs 2023/24

Data for the 2024/25 academic year (trend lines show 3 years). Source: DfE School Workforce Census, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. State-funded schools only.

School finances

2024-25

How this school is funded and where the money goes — per pupil.

£7,613

Spend per pupil

£7,581

Income per pupil

57%

Spent on teaching staff

Source: DfE school finance returns (CFR for council-maintained schools, AAR for academies), 2024-25, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Per-pupil figures are calculated from total income/expenditure.

Contact Details

Address: Dale Avenue, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8LP
Phone: 01273845892
Headteacher: Matt Ashdown
Website: http://downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk/

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Frequently asked questions

What type of school is Downlands Community School?: Downlands Community School is a community school in Hassocks, West Sussex, England, for pupils aged 11–16.
How many pupils does Downlands Community School have?: Downlands Community School has 1,250 pupils on roll, according to Department for Education data.
What is Downlands Community School's Ofsted rating?: Downlands Community School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection (4 October 2022).
How does Downlands Community School perform at GCSE?: Pupils at Downlands Community School achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 58.3 in 2025/26.
Where is Downlands Community School?: Downlands Community School is located at Dale Avenue, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8LP.

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